Archives for October 2009

‘So I figured it was about time for me to close up the tailgate, turn down my expectations of another superbowl run and just sit back and watch a team with a mediocre coach muddle their way through another couple of sub average seasons before they go the way of Los Angeles, Baltimore and Cleveland.’

‘”We unfortunately didn’t hit on a lot of plays and left our defense out there way too long,” said Trent Edwards. “Looking at it on film it’s just little things and that’s what has kind of been the theme of the past couple of games. We’ve got to fix those things and try to take care of it on third down and try to keep our defense off the field.”‘

‘The Bills consistently bring in big-bucks free agents who disappoint and high draft picks who do not produce. They fail to pay premium value for exceptional players, who then leave the company-er, team. They habitually acquire marquee names who are on the downside of their careers.’

‘"We do have a lot of faith in our coaches and a lot of faith in our team," linebacker Keith Ellison said. "We’re all at fault for what happened [Sunday]. We’ll correct it this week and have a much better showing Sunday."’

‘Still, I really wonder if a Tony Dungy or a Bill Cowher would make any difference here given the inept decision-making upstairs at One Bills Drive. That’s the most distressing realization of all.’

‘After the Browns’ visit on Sunday, the Bills have road games at the Jets and Carolina and a home game against Houston before their Nov. 8 bye. Unless things turn around, Jauron might become the fifth head coach to be fired by Wilson since Marv Levy’s historic run ended in 1997.’

‘Receiver Terrell Owens: He’s biting his tongue while enduring the quietest four-game stretch as a starter in his career. Eight catches, one touchdown and no dressing-downs of his quarterback or coordinator – yet.’

‘In his third year, Edwards would figure to be showing a significant upside but, instead, his decision-making and confidence are eroding. His profound failure on third down, while running a no-huddle offense, albeit slowed down, is why the Bills are last in the NFL in time of possession at under 25 1/2 minutes per game and have yet to win that stat even once this season.’

‘”I would say a little angry, a little on edge,” said Keith Ellison when asked about the mood of the team. “Nobody likes to get beat like we did Sunday so I would say we’re a little angry and that’s a good thing.”‘

‘This is the first time the Bills have given up more than 200 rushing yards in back-to-back games since 1979 (245 at San Diego and 265 against the New York Jets).’

‘I can’t remember the last time Evans broke a short pass for a big gain. He’s had three catches of 35-plus yards in his last 14 games. All were on deep throws. How do you pay a guy $9 million a year and not get him the ball on crossing patterns? Evans is the highest-paid athlete in Buffalo history, but he can’t touch Andre Reed.’

‘Going back to last season’s loss to Miami in Toronto, the Bills have gone 2 for 21 on third downs in the last two games against the Dolphins. The team ranks 30th in the NFL in third-down conversions, with a success rate of 23.4 percent.’

‘"In all three losses coach Jauron has come in and taken the blame and we as players have to be professionals and execute our game plans in all three phases," said safety George Wilson, one of the few players who performed admirably in what ranks as one of the worst defeats in the three-plus years Jauron has been on the job in Buffalo. "We have to do a better job."’

‘To me, that’s an admission that his decision to re-hire Jauron, to promote Russ Brandon, and retain the two main personnel hires of former GM Tom Donahoe – Tom Modrak and John Guy – hasn’t worked out. Perhaps now he’s willing to overhaul the entire machinery. Continuity has its merits, but it just hasn’t worked out.’

‘Lynch did finish with a team-high five catches, but Jackson’s better in that respect, too. If the team ever learns to send him in motion, Jackson would be a tough matchup on the outside for a linebacker. Or if a defense shifted, that would match Jackson on a corner and a receiver on a linebacker or safety. Either way, it’s a mismatch the Bills can take advantage of.’